U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Scott of Napierville, Ill., was selected by the 17-year-old LPGA pro to accompany her to Friday night's prom at Coral Glades High.

"This is probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make," Thompson said in announcing her choice via video. "But there was one story that really stood out to me …"

Scott, 20, is a reservist and Purple Heart recipient after being wounded on assignment to Afghanistan. He was selected from more than 100 servicemen who sent video entries to her Facebook page, after Thompson announced last month she was seeking a military date, age 18-20.

Thompson turned pro at 15 and became the youngest person to win an LPGA event in September, when she claimed the top spot in the Navistar LPGA Classic in Alabama.

She made her debut as a member of the LPGA Tour in February, three days before her 17th birthday. She applied for tour membership after her victory, and the tour agreed to waive its age requirement of 18 in her case.